King Washington "Bawl and Change"

You gotta know it is a blast to play music on the radio. For the last month, I have been working afternoon drive on KDRP in Dripping Springs, TX. You can listen on line, or download the app for your smart phone. The most coolest thing about this, is that I am putting the library together for my show - Freedom is a wonderful thing. You will hear Chuck Berry and Fats Domino and Little Richard, Dylan and the Stones, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Chris Knight and Paul Thorn. New stuff too; The Lumineers, JD McPherson, JP Harris and The Tough Choices. I am on every day Monday through Friday, 2-7 pm CT, but on Wednesday it's 12 noon to 4 pm. I
welcome you to check it out. It kind of puts the pieces in place nicely, as I continue to scout for new music. Now I can do more than write about it, I can play it on the radio too.

I gotta get my hands on this, King Washington's debut album, The Gears. The band is out of Los Angeles, and their sound is nothing short of hypnotic. Love the vocals, love the harmonies, love the texture to the music. Yes they have been compared to The Beatles, which is not such a bad thing if you bring something new to it, which King Washington does. The album came out yesterday, and was produced by the band and Grammy-Award winner Joe Puerta. This is a luscious album full of longing and serious chops. Today's video is
for the song "Bawl and Change." The storyboard for it is a tad on the strange side, but the tune totally rocks.

-Jessie Scott

Suzanna Choffel "Animal"

Upon a recent trip to New York, I stopped by ZirZamin, Paul Oveisi’s new club in SOHO. Funny thing, it was a just block away from my Dad’s business, which was at the corner of Prince and West Broadway. Back in the day, it was an industrial section of the city which started getting gentrified in the 70s. There is now a Coach Leather store in the building I spent so much time in while growing up. Watching it change over the decades is nothing short of miraculous. It seems that all the once less desirable neighborhoods of Manhattan are being reclaimed. The new club ZirZamin on Houston Street ( that’s HOUSE ton, not HUE ston, as in Texas.) You walk down the stairs to twinkling candlelight into one of those underground grottos of instant enveloping magic. Music and food, what can I say…I had the most amazing salad there which topped with curlicues of shaved fennel. I bought some today to try it at home!

Paul moved up to New York from Austin several months ago with his girlfriend, chanteuse Suzanna Choffel. He was the proprietor of Austin’s legendary club, Momo’s, which is closed now, I am sorry to say. Momo’s was a constant source of happening music in Austin. Suzanna held court there, among many others, including Band Of Heathens and Warren Hood. Suzanna was on the bill the night I stopped by ZirZamin. She is such a unique combination of elements: sultry voice, electric guitar, powerful as a solo figure on stage. There are hints woven through to all the elements that have informed her music: Motown, Folk, and World Music from Reggae to Brazilian to African. Though she is Austin born and bred, I predict she will thrive in New York City, the perfect melting pot for her to percolate in. Music Fog filmed Suzanna Choffel during our Spring Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s in Austin. Here is the MF version of one of the songs you will find on her 2011 album, Steady Eye Shaky Bow, “Animal.”

-Jessie Scott

Buxton "Oh My Boy"

The march of music continues, even in the dénouement of the major records labels, who have been busy gobbling each other up, becoming the big four. This doesn’t make for boots on the ground in the way that it used to in the golden age of rock in the 60s, 70s, and even into the 80s. The faucet is still running full blast with talented tunesmiths that are pursuing their dreams, and you know nature abhors a vacuum! I am watching indie labels take root and grow. It is exciting seeing artists find a good home in the new music biz environment. A groundwork for the future is being built before our eyes, and one of the ascendants is New West Records.

They have been busy signing new acts, among them Buxton, a five piece folk-rock ensemble from Houston, TX. The bands’ third album (two previously were self-released,) is their debut for New West.  Nothing Here Seems Strange came out earlier this year. Their music marries rock and folk, with beautiful writing and intricately woven elements. Buxton is led by Sergio Trevino on Vocals/Guitar with Jason Willis on lead Guitar/Mandolin, Chris Wise on Bass Guitar, Justin Terrell on Drums, and Austin Sepulvado on Guitar/Vocals. When we filmed the Spring Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s WHQ, we had the honor of a solo performance from Sergio. Here is the Music Fog recording of “Oh My Boy," with Sergio doing one of the tunes from the new CD.

- Jessie Scott